Abstract: In an automatic analyzer of samples, the liquid specimen and the reagent are mixed in a reaction container to react. If, however, there is a bubble in the reagent container, a accurate amount of a reagent may not be dispensed. Accordingly, a liquid surface detecting circuit for detecting the liquid surface on the basis of the impedance change between a pipet and a ground is disposed, and the height of the liquid surface before and after suction of the reagent is compared on the basis of the liquid surface detecting information, and the bubble is detected when the difference is more than a specified value, and accordingly the driving circuit of the driving source is controlled by the control circuit. Thus, when dispensing the reagent in the reagent container by a pipet, the bubble can be detected securely and accurately, and this apparatus may be used in a slender reagent container.

Abstract: A hematological specimen for classifying and counting leukocytes with a flow cytometer is prepared. A sample to be assayed is prepared by eliminating influences of erythrocytes from a hematological sample without changing leukocytes morphologically; adjusting the pH value to a level suitable for staining; and staining the leukocytes with at least two dyes including Astrazon Yellow 3G capable of specifically staining at least basophils and immature granulocytes and Neutral Red capable of specifically staining at least eosinophils. Thus leukocytes contained in the hematological sample can be classified at least three or six groups including immature granulocytes by measuring a single specimen with a flow cytometer.

Abstract: A method which comprises using a specified dye taken up by erythrocytic nucleated cells so that their nuclei are stained and can be readily differentiated from other cells by measurement with a flow cytometer is disclosed. The method relies basically upon flow cytometry by two-step staining that uses a first fluid that is an acidic hypotensive fluorescent dye solution and a second fluid that is a solution that changes the osmorality and pH of the first fluid. The first fluid further contains a fluorescent dye that diffuses into erythroblasts to specifically stain their nuclei, and a group of erythroblasts is separated from other cell groups on the two-dimensional plot constructed with the flow cytometer, whereby the results of erythroblast differentiation are computed.

Abstract: A method for classifying leukocytes with a flow cytometer by use of optical measurements on fluorochrome-stained blood cells. The method comprises the steps of lysing erythrocytes in a blood sample, selectively staining eosinophils and basophils, permitting stained sample to flow through a flow cytometer, and identifying and counting the type of each leukocyte.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading an identification code from a blood sample container includes an elastic member (42) which engages the upper side (34) of the sample container. A rotary device rotates the elastic member bidirectionally. An up-and-down moving device moves the elastic member up and down. A rotating/up-and-down moving control device (56) controls the movement of the container. An identification code reader (19) reads the sample code from the container, and a reading controller (57) permits the identification code reader to read from the container as it rotates in either forward or reverse direction. The elastic member abuts the upper part of the sample container and rotates it. If the identification code reader cannot read the identification code when the container rotates in the forward direction, the elastic member rotates the sample container in the reverse direction for the identification code to be read again.

Abstract: The particle counting apparatus is intended to count the number of particles such as blood corpuscles, by passing through a minute aperture, and detecting the particles electrically. In this particle counting apparatus, the liquid specimen is passed into the minute aperture at a specific flow rate by means of a liquid specimen discharge device, and the particles are counted preliminarily, and the dilution proportion of the liquid specimen is determined when the value of this preceding counting is over a specific value. According to this dilution proportion, the liquid specimen discharge device and diluent discharge device discharge so that the flow rates may be as specified, and the mixture is passed through the minute aperture for main counting. In this way, if there are many particles, simultaneous passes do not occur in the detecting region.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging and analyzing particle components in a sample liquid flow containing particle components such as blood and urine, or fine particles of organic high polymer in suspension or the like. A conventional particle imaging flow cytometer is combined with a light source such as a lamp with small coherence, and an image intensifier with gate function of high response, so that a clear particle image without a deflection or interference fringe is obtained. Thus, in the apparatus having the still imaging function, by using the image intensifier with a high speed gate function, even with a light source of a long luminous time such as a lamp, a clear still image of a particle flowing at high speed is obtained.

Abstract: A blood analyzer system incorporates a conveyor for handling and transporting sample blood through at least one blood analyzer and an automatic blood smear generator under the control of a programmable controller. Blood samples are stored in sample containers having identifiers for the sample blood that they contain. These sample containers are transported through the system in protective racks that permit the reading of the identifiers. The results of analysis by one or more blood analyzers in the system determines the need for performing or omitting subsequent operations on a particular sample blood. When a smeared blood sample is to be made, the controller assures that the smear thickness is consistent with other samples regardless of the thickness or viscosity of the sample blood. If the system fails to make a required smeared blood sample, a detector sounds an alarm, warning of a system failure.

Abstract: An optical particle analyzing apparatus includes a flow cytometer in which laser light and lamp light having a wavelength shorter than that of the laser light are used simultaneously when particles in a blood specimen or the like are analyzed by the flow cytometer. Scattered light emitted by a particle due to irradiation with the laser light and fluorescence emitted by the particle due to irradiation with the lamp light are detected. A signal indicative of the scattered light is used as a timing signal to detect the fluorescence. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus.

Abstract: In blood examinations, first basic items such as the number of red blood cells, the number of white blood cells and the volume of hemoglobins are measured (primary examination), then, on the basis of the results thereof, further specific additional items are measured such as leukocyte classification and measurement of reticulocytes (secondary examination). In this case, the basic items are measured by the basic analyzing module and the results of the measurement are analyzed to judge whether additional items are necessary or not, and only specimens requiring additional items are measured in the additional analyzing module. The additional analyzing module is provided with a temporary sump for temporarily retaining the measuring solution from the measuring solution preparing device. Thus, the blood examination may be done efficiently.

Abstract: A method for diluting and mixing specimen such as blood and a reagent, which is designed to prepare a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent at a specific ratio by discharging the reagent in a passage for quantitative determination in a sampling valve by a specified amount of the reagent. The method is such that specimen is discharged by reagent first at a low speed and thereafter at a usual speed by a reagent discharge device. The reagent discharge device may comprise a syringe, a pump having a thin film for forming air and liquid chambers, or the like. As constructed, the specimen is not damaged due to fluid pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for diluting and mixing specimen such as blood and a reagent, which is designed to prepare a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent at a specific ratio by discharging the reagent in a passage for quantitative determination in a sampling valve by a specified amount of the reagent. The apparatus is designed so that specimen is discharged by reagent first at a low speed and thereafter at a usual speed by a reagent discharge device. The reagent discharge device may comprise a syringe, a pump having a thin film for forming air and liquid chambers, or the like. As constructed, the apparatus is not damaged due to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A reagent for measuring the hemoglobin concentration and counting the number of leukocytes in a blood sample, which contains at least one of a quaternary ammonium salt or a pyridinium salt, having a concentration capable of hemolyzing erythrocytes in the blood and denaturing hemoglobin and at least one of cationic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactants or an oxidant capable of oxidizing heme in hemoglobin, the reagent being capable of dividing leukocytes into two or three fractions, for example, a fraction of lymphocytes, a fraction of monocytes, eosinophils and basophils, and a fraction of neutrophils.

Abstract: A flow imaging cytometer has an image capturing area for capturing the white-light image of a cell, and an image capturing area for capturing a fluorescent image of the same cell. The two image capturing areas are positionally offset from each other so that both images can be obtained in an excellent state with little mutual influence from the two types of light. Based upon detection of a cell using light from a light source for monitoring cell flow-through, a light source for exciting fluorescence and a strobe light source for emitting the white light area actuated after respective prescribed time delays. To this end, the cytometer incorporates a delay-pulse generating circuit serving as control means.

Abstract: A flow imaging cytometer, in which an image capturing area for cells traveling in the flow of a specimen solution is constantly monitored to perform cell photography in an efficient manner, is improved so that fluorescent images of cells can be acquired with greater efficiency. Cell particles to be sensed in the specimen are treated with a fluorescent stain, and the specimen solution is irradiated with light from a pulsed light source for exciting fluorescence, and with infrared light constantly for monitoring the passage of cells through the cytometer. When the monitoring light is made to serve also as the light for exciting fluorescence, the specimen flow is continuously irradiated at all times at a low luminance for the purpose of monitoring. Then, when a cell particle of interest is detected, the cell particle is irradiated with a light pulse of high luminance to obtain a still picture of the fluorescence-emitting cell.

Abstract: A reagent, satisfying the undermentioned conditions, is useful for counting the number of leukocytes and measuring the hemoglobin concentration in blood samples. The reagent is free of cyanides and it is able to maintain hemoglobin in a stable state for a prolonged time. The reagent contains at least one cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium salt of a concentration capable of hemolyzing erythrocytes in the blood and oxidizing hemoglobin and a composition of pyridinium salts; at least one cationic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactant; and at least one hemoglobin stabilizer.

Abstract: A rack start/stock unit 16 comprises a loader 30 for loading sample racks from outside the unit, an accumulator 32 for accumulating plural sample racks, an unloader 34 for sending out sample racks to outside the unit, a first moving structure for moving the sample racks at the loader to the accumulator, a second moving structure 40 for moving the sample racks at the accumulator to the unloader, and a third moving structure 44 for moving the sample racks at the unloader to outside of the unit. A sampler for many samples comprising a rack start yard 10, a conveyor 12, and a rack stock yard 14. The rack start yard 10 and the rack stock yard 14 are composed by connecting a plurality of rack start/stock units 16, respectively. The sample racks are sent from the rack start yard 10 to the conveyor 12 sequentially to be supplied to analyzers, and are then recovered in the rack stock yard 14.

Abstract: A buffer solution is sampled from a buffer solution vessel and is dispensed into a reaction vessel on a reaction table by first sampling/dispensing means, and a specimen containing an antigen or antibody to be measured is sampled from a specimen vessel and is dispensed into the reaction vessel by second sampling/dispensing means. A reagent containing insoluble carriers to which is bonded an antibody or antigen that specifically reacts with the antigen or antibody in the specimen is sampled from a reagent vessel and dispensed into the reaction vessel by third sampling/dispensing means. The entire reaction table is shaken continuously during mixing of the buffer solution, reagent and specimen, and the reaction vessel is maintained in an isothermal state. A stable antigen-antibody reaction in the resulting reaction solution is thus promoted to form an agglutinate of the insoluble carriers.

Abstract: A blood analyzer system incorporates a conveyor for handling and transporting sample blood through at least one blood analyzer and an automatic blood smear generator under the control of a programmable controller. Blood samples are stored in sample containers having identifiers for the sample blood that they contain. These sample containers are transported through the system in protective racks that permit the reading of the identifiers. The results of analysis by one or more blood analyzers in the system determine the need for performing or omitting subsequent operations on a particular sample blood. When a smeared blood sample is to be made, the controller assures that the smear thickness is consistent with other samples regardless of the thickness or viscosity of the sample blood. If the system fails to make a required smeared blood sample, a detector sounds an alarm, warning of a system failure.

Abstract: Three methods for classifying leukocytes with a flow cytometer by optical measurements on fluorochrome-stained blood cells or those which have been so treated as to provide varying intensity in forward scattered light are useful in the practice of clinical testing. Also included are reagents employed in the practice of such methods.